Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Flashlight Forum => Topic started by: nate j on March 07, 2019, 06:20:22 AM
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It seems there are very few threads about lanterns, though obviously there are certain situations where a lantern is preferable to a flashlight. I use my lanterns for camping, as well as using the battery-powered ones during power outages and sometimes for task lighting around the house. I have three lanterns, and below are my thoughts on each.
Streamlight Siege (3 D-cell version)
Likes:
- long run time, i.e. manufacturer claims hundreds of hours on low setting
- multiple brightness settings
- red light capability to preserve night vision
- waterproof
- floats
- built-in battery power level indicator
- cleverly designed handle and top and bottom D-rings provide multiple hanging/mounting options
- limited mode memory, i.e. the lantern remembers whether it was last operated in white light mode or red light mode
Dislikes:
- no glow-in-the-dark components; this would be nice to have for locating the lantern in the dark when the lantern is off
- limited mode memory, i.e. the lantern does not remember the last brightness setting
Energizer LED Emergency Lantern
Likes:
- long run time, i.e. manufacturer claims hundreds of hours on low setting
- multiple brightness settings
- water resistant
- cleverly designed to operate on either 3 D or 3 AA batteries
- glow-in-the-dark switch makes it easy to find, even in the dark when the lantern is off
- price; inexpensive at under $20
Dislikes:
- simple handle and single bottom hook limit mounting/hanging options
- no "intelligent" switch operation or mode memory, i.e. all the modes must be cycled through every time one uses the lantern
Coleman Premium Powerhouse Dual Fuel Lantern
Likes:
- continuously variable brightness
- highest setting is very bright
- can run on Coleman Fuel or gasoline
Dislikes:
- operation and maintenance are a bit more involved than for a battery-powered lantern
- outdoor use only; not safe to use inside structures, vehicles, or tents
- must be kept out of reach of children, due to the fragility of the glass globe and how hot it gets during operation
- expensive; I think I paid about $70 for mine new
What lanterns do you have, and what do think of them?
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Nate,I want to believe you but as they say Pics or it Never Happened?!
For starters the easy ones that I have right at hand.
So this is the AA Siege
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190307/365014c20084207f4580e457e4210617.jpg)
And this is the Big Bro Siege,in action a few weeks ago when my power went out.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190307/d06b678c0b55abab7c12bf6b8f2a38f9.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone,dont expect too much
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I have a couple lanterns I use for camping. We have a variety of light options for power outrages. The lanterns I use ( forget the brand, I'll check later ) can use less batteries than the lantern takes. I can use 6 when the lantern uses 10. Less output but its nice feature. I use diffuser cones on certain flashlight that tail stand so they can perform like a lantern. Being able to use flashlights with cones is really good option to a lantern.
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I will try and get a pic of my 60 Day UST lantern :cheers: I have had it for close to 4 years and have never had to put new batteries in it :o Really love how bright it is and mainly keep it on my nightstand in case of night time power outs :cheers: Very happy with that purchase and also bought my father in law the 30 day one at the same time I got mine :tu:
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:popcorn:
Sounds interesting Poncho
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I will try and get a pic of my 60 Day UST lantern :cheers: I have had it for close to 4 years and have never had to put new batteries in it :o Really love how bright it is and mainly keep it on my nightstand in case of night time power outs :cheers: Very happy with that purchase and also bought my father in law the 30 day one at the same time I got mine :tu:
Same here the run time is crazy!
Also don't know if you have noticed but the UST has a definite warmer or Neutral tint emitter too!
Sitting next to the Streamlight it is a big enough difference for even non hobbyists to notice,well sometimes. :dunno:
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I have a couple lanterns I use for camping. We have a variety of light options for power outrages. The lanterns I use ( forget the brand, I'll check later ) can use less batteries than the lantern takes. I can use 6 when the lantern uses 10. Less output but its nice feature. I use diffuser cones on certain flashlight that tail stand so they can perform like a lantern. Being able to use flashlights with cones is really good option to a lantern.
You are thinking just like me!
I have this little Template that I made so I can quickly make a diffuser for lights that I have already sized there.
These diffusers cost me nothing and work great when needed.
Remember Film Canisters!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190307/d02cfca29ab5f43cbbaca3ce147d64f0.jpg)
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Very cool. I've used lip balm tops, random white tubes from stuff like crazy glue, and they've worked good. I like options and my lantern are in the shed so I always have quicker access to my flashlights.
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Nate,I want to believe you but as they say Pics or it Never Happened?!
Ha ha, I'll see what I can do. Unfortunately, the Siege is the only one I positively know the whereabouts of at the moment, and you've already helpfully provided a pic of that model. I am not sure where the other two are after the fire I had at the house last year. I do believe they're around, I'm just not sure what boxes the cleaning people put them in.
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I got a few of the 60 Day and will try and get them up today :cheers:
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Here are a few pics :cheers: these are the light with and without the cover. I really like that you can take the cover off and it is more like a light bulb and has a spot on the bottom that you can attach it to something and hand it upside down (of course I forgot a pic showing this :facepalm: ) it take 6D batteries and is a bit :o :ahhh when you first get it and does add a bit of weight to it but after they are in and using it, it isn't so bad :cheers: I have had this lantern about 4 years as I said above and I have never had to change batteries yet and used this light last night for a few minutes in fact :salute:
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This light has 3 modes and maybe as SOS mode :think: but it has been so long that I forget for sure if it has an SOS mode :dunno: I usuly use it on the brightest setting but medium is also pretty bright :salute: thinking 500lm was high and I can't remember the lm for.medium but low was 10-15lm seems like :think: I also remember that it came in a dew color choices when I bought this one, seems it was orange (like mine) , silver and glow in the dark. I am very happy I bought this one and have thought about getting a 30 day one like I got my father in law because it only takes 3D batteries and is about half the size :o
The pics are high, med and low but the high and low don't look a lot different in the camera like they do in the real world :salute:
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Don't know much about the one on the left. My grocery chain had them out a couple of summers ago for $3 each. Run on 3 AA batteries and are dimmable (not that they are super bright). Handy for putting in a bathroom or bedroom when the power goes out.
The big one on the left is a Coleman CPX6 with 400 lumens. Uses 4 D batteries or a 6 volt battery pack. Good for a living room sized area.
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oddly enough I actually have 2 to add to this. apparently it is picture taking time again
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oddly enough I actually have 2 to add to this. apparently it is picture taking time again
:like: :popcorn:
and great post smiller :tu: :like:
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Poncho, will your lantern take less batteries and still run? My lantern will accept less and run but will less output. Its a nice feature IMO.
I like to use the lanterns if the power will be out for a short time, could of hours. Then I switch to liquid candles which burn a very long time. I also have 5 hour emergency candles that actually burn for their stated time. I have Eneloop adapters for C/D cells which are nice but I haven't had to use them. The misses burns candles nearly every night so if the power was to cut off we cue Marvin and......... >:D
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I will have to try it because I have had it so many years I just can't remember if that was a feature or not :think:
If it is that is awesome :ahhh
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Also, I have meant to get the C and D battery adapters for AA for years and now you have reminded me :salute:
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I have more AAs than any other cell. The adapter are really nice for that one reason in my case.
:popcorn: it would be interesting to see if your lantern will work off less cells.
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But the AA has so much less runtime than a C or D cell that I have never really understood this thinking?
Are you talking about a single AA in place of a bigger cell or multiples?
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Here is the UST 30 Day which takes 3 D cells.
It also comes apart like the bigger one which is nice and it also nests perfectly with the GST SS Mug like a Nalgene Bottle does!
I keep this one in a car kit.
This is the one that also somehow has really nicely tinted emitters which really shocked me the first time I used it!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/70775dec47a36c6d9c37ea732d6b150d.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/f6d726af7b9a66adc2abb16e367b33b4.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/3966b405327cc960560a35f62dea79ff.jpg)
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Single/Double. I wouldn't put AAs with adapters in place of say 8 C/D cells. One or two, sure. I can get away with my lanterns using less cells it takes. Mine takes 10? I can use 6? I need to confirm tho. I get less output but its a nice feature and being able to use a AA in the event I need to is not bad.
This is why I'll only use lanterns for a power outage for a short time. I like my liquid candles best.
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I really like these Energizers too and they are pretty inexpensive and they Dim within a fairly wide range too!
I use these a lot with power out and when Camping.
The big one will run on 4 or 8 AAs too.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/4b1eee68f9de2fc224f912db9b4f791a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/937812ee7932934d87c834de26d0c9bc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/db85494876e3cb581e9b9f5fe07ae4d8.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/ce7555c430551892f757c5d92b84e924.jpg)
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Single/Double. I wouldn't put AAs with adapters in place of say 8 C/D cells. One or two, sure. I can get away with my lanterns using less cells it takes. Mine takes 10? I can use 6? I need to confirm tho. I get less output but its a nice feature and being able to use a AA in the event I need to is not bad.
This is why I'll only use lanterns for a power outage for a short time. I like my liquid candles best.
Me too!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/691d8281d255ce891843bd1d31e33b25.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190309/eb18c0c7558463c49d6d22afb273043c.jpg)
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I have more AAs than any other cell. The adapter are really nice for that one reason in my case.
:popcorn: it would be interesting to see if your lantern will work off less cells.
The less batteries is apparently a no go on this one :-\ I tried a combination of different batteries out and different numbers of batteries put as well but unless all of them were in, it wouldn't light up :salute:
But the AA has so much less runtime than a C or D cell that I have never really understood this thinking?
Are you talking about a single AA in place of a bigger cell or multiples?
The adapters would only be used in power outages as a last resort, as like Aloha, I have many AA but any less C and D cell batteries :cheers:
I have also looked into getting a candle lantern, the UCO ones look pretty good but not sure :think: any of you guys have any experience with those :cheers:
Also, I had a couple of the Energizer type ones and could never get on with them but that was several years ago and i am sure they worked all the bugs out of them :tu:
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The adapters would only be used in power outages as a last resort, as like Aloha, I have many AA but any less C and D cell batteries :cheers:
Also, my experience is that predictions of a serious storm quickly result in no C or D cell batteries on store shelves, but AA batteries seem to be less popular/more available.
Those liquid candles look neat. Can you share more about them?
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Family photo of my lanterns.
From left to right: two cheap Walmart lanterns, two Nitecore PA 10 CRI mini lanterns, a Streamlight Siege lantern, and a battery pack with two light ropes. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190310/bf5ec6ff131fb0aee44253e5ef182021.jpg)
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
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finally got around to this
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7909/32415403517_d5e7ab2b71_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Rorq8x)
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7863/47357391881_6de8302d56_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2f9P1Gz)
both in working order
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Great pics Dan and styx :tu: :like:
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Thanks, Poncho.
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
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Family photo of my lanterns.
From left to right: two cheap Walmart lanterns, two Nitecore PA 10 CRI mini lanterns, a Streamlight Siege lantern, and a battery pack with two light ropes. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190310/bf5ec6ff131fb0aee44253e5ef182021.jpg)
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
Correction, "LA10" not "PA 10"
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
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We had some storms the other night, and lost power for about 2 hours. Here's one of the little 3 AA lanterns in use.
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Looks good, smiller! Sorry that y'all had the blackout but glad you had the lanterns!
Sent from my G8441 using Tapatalk
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I have three lanterns. One is an Uco candle lantern like in @ezdog photo. I also have a Fenix CL20 and Luci inflatable solar lantern.
The Fenix is the only one that uses batteries and it can use CR123 or 2xAA, which is one of the main reasons I purchased it. I also really liked the small form factor and that it has a red light mode in addition to 4 white brightness levels.
The Luci is a nice option in that it is solar, collapses almost flat and is fairly light. Attach it to the outside of a pack or leave outside at basecamp while hiking during the day, then inflate and use at night.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190503/2554091e4578b275b582f02be8484175.jpg)
Both on low
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190503/f9b4ce5605284f356b1696ce79ca7509.jpg)
Another option that I sometimes use is a flashlight with a ZenToes white gel toe cap as a diffuser. I had used the ZenToes cap when I had some issues with my toe. I then tested one of the unused caps as a diffuser and discovered it worked pretty well.
Pictured at about 1 lumen brightness
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190503/7f9b4beba756fa8b7184d7f24d248c80.jpg)